MDC-T councillors defect to Biti's PDP

The MDC-T has recalled two of its councillors on charges of defecting to the People's Democratic Party (PDP).

The recall of Matonhedze Mashoko, a councillor in Ruwa and Muchaneta Zemura Garatsa of Chitungwiza, has since been sanctioned by the ministry of local government, public works and national housing.

"We are in receipt of a letter from the provincial secretary for the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) for Mashonaland East province in which they were withdrawing Councillor M. Mashoko of Ward 9, in tandem with Section 278 (1) and 129 (1) of the Constitution," reads a letter dated 27 May 2016 from the local government addressed to the secretary of the Ruwa Local Board signed by M. Motsi.

"Indeed the Constitution states on Section 129 (k) that a Councillor, Mayor or Chairperson can be removed from office if he or she ceases to be a member of a Political Party which he or she was a member when elected into office.

"As such you may proceed to advise the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission of this vacancy that has arisen," the letter further reads.

The recall comes after the MDC-T last year recalled 21 MPs on charges of defecting to the PDP, which is led by the former MDC-T's secretary general, Tendai Biti.

MDC-T's Chitungwiza provincial secretary, Lloyd Damba is understood to have approached the two councillors last month and begged them to re-join the MDC-T but Mashoko and Garatsa rejected the offer.